NCJ Number
46716
Date Published
1976
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS PAPER BRIEFLY EXAMINES CORPORAL PUNISHMENT AS A FORM OF CHILD ABUSE.
Abstract
CHILDREN ARE OFTEN STRUCK BY A PARENT OR TEACHER AS PUNISHMENT FOR A REAL OR IMAGINED TRANSGRESSION. ONE WHO DISCIPLINES A CHILD IN A CONTROLLED MANNER HAS THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD IN MIND, BUT THE ONE WHO BECOMES ENRAGED AND PHYSICALLY ABUSES THE CHILD IS ONLY INDULGING HIMSELF. THIS VIOLENT LAYING ON OF HANDS IS CLEARLY AN ACT WHICH IS UNRELATED TO DISCIPLINE, BUT WHICH DEVOLVES FROM THE ADULT'S OWN SADISTIC TENDENCIES. THOSE PERSONS WHO PROMOTE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT SHOULD BE STUDIED IN THE LIGHT OF THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL, SOCIOLOGICAL, AND BIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS. (DJM)